Alexander Valley Sin Zin'07, Sonoma County, CA, USA

This is probably the most famous wine from Alexander Valley Vineyards in Sonoma County. Elegant but bold wine at the same time, a delightful one to try out.

Technical Data: 100% Zinfandel. Aged in 75% American oak and 25% French oak for 10 months.

Description: Bright ruby red in color. Tons of cherries and raspberries aromas backed by spice and cedar on the nose. On the palate red and black fruits flavors are laced together, giving to this full bodied wine a nice complexity. Plum, morello cherries and chocolaty flavors are on board here with blueberries, spices and oak. I detect a touch of earthiness, "dry earth" flavors and some herbs. Velvety tannins and a good balance for a smooth long lasting finish.

Food Pairing & Service: A food -friendly wine. It would be a perfect match with casual Italian food like pizza or lasagna. I would also definitely pair it with red meat off the grill, from barbecued steak to ribs.

Score: 9/10.

Ageing Potential: Up to 5 years.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $24.99

Jaboulet Paralléle 45 Red' 07, Côtes du Rhône, France

An elegant and quite famous by now Jaboulet red wine from the Côtes du Rhône region in France. This Côtes du Rhône takes its name from the 45th North parallel which runs two kilometres from the cellars of Maison Paul Jaboulet Aîné.

Technical Data: This is a blend of 60% Grenache Grape and 40% Syrah from 25 years old vines . The wine was aged in stainless steel tanks to preserve the freshness of its fruits.

Description: Bright ruby red in color. Aromatic wine loaded with red fruits and spices. On the palate, rounded tannins for a full bodied wine, redcurrant and plumy flavors are in charge here up until the Syrah characteristic spiciness kicks in. Some cedary note and pepper are also present. This wine, has a nice bite in the end, but it is not overwhelming, on the contrary, the fruity flavors and the spiciness are well integrated together to construct a delightfully complex wine with a long lasting finish.

Food Pairing & Service: I strongly recommend to pair this wine with food such as Grilled/roasted meats or Cheeses.

Score: 9/10.

Ageing Potential: This Côtes du Rhône should be drunk young, within 1 to 5 years.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $15.99

Jadot Beaujolais-Villages'07, Burgundy, France

A very fruity medium bodied Beaujolais-Villages from the Negociant Louis Jadot located in Burgundy France.

Technical Data: 100% Gamay .

Description: Bright purple in color. Quite enticing nose with a load of fresh red fruits aromas and a hint of spice. On the palate, the entrance is firm, but nice and refreshing, with smooth tannins, good balance and a long lasting finish. Plumy and raspberries flavors followed by dark cherries are dominating here. The wine shows off as well a pinch of white pepper, a smudge of cedar and Rose flavors. A complex wine at a not so complex price!

Food Pairing & Service: Very versatile wine. Can be drunk by itself or accompany food such as Grilled red meat, white fish and cheeses. It will also do wonders with your summer's light dishes!

Score: 8/10.

Ageing Potential: This Beaujolais-Villages is supposed to be drunk young although it can be kept easily up to 5 years.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $14.59.

Jadot Mâcon Blanc Villages'08, Burgundy, France

A quite refreshing medium bodied White wine from the Negociant Louis Jadot in Burgundy France.

Technical Data: 100% Chardonnay . Vinified in stainless steel tanks in order to extract the maximum floral and fruity aromas and freshness.

Description: Bright gold color. A very appealing fragrant nose full of tropical and stone fruits and floral scent. A quite refreshing medium bodied dry wine showing off a nice acidity and good balance thru and thru. On the palate, lots of fruits flavors such as peach and pineapple laced with elderflower flavors. A hint of white pepper and limestone are present as well. All these flavors mingled together contribute to make this wine a great one to enjoy chilled and rather young to benefits of its freshness.

Food Pairing & Service: Very versatile wine. This wine can stand alone without being ashamed of itself or pair sublimely a wild range of dishes, it would best accompany seafood in general and shellfish. My personal favorite would be with a grilled fish like "Salmon on a cedar plank". Consider also pairing it with lemon and herb roast chicken as well as grilled vegetable . Any dish served with saffron rice will do too, as will any Asian Fusion Food as well. Serve chilled. Perfect during Summer Time as well!

Score: 9/10.

Ageing Potential: This wine will be at its best within 5 years of its vintage, if kept in good conditions of temperature and humidity.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $18.99, considering this is a Burgundy it is an excellent Price for it, stack it up.

Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc'09, South Africa

An Off Dry and slightly wooded juicy White Wine from the Stellenbosh Region in South Africa.

Technical Data: 100% Chenin Blanc . 30% of the wine was fermented and matured for six months in new American and Hungarian oak and new and second fill French oak barrels. The wine was then slightly sweetened with Chenin Blanc Noble Late harvest, fined, sterile filtered and bottled.

Description: Light bright gold color. Complex nose exuding lots of fruity aromas such as ripe pineapple and white peach but also hints of lemon and lime. On the palate, the wine is luscious yet spicy. Great texture, well balanced with a good acidity. It overflows with flavors, from white peach and apricot to spice, light oak and white flowers all mingled together but yet still recognizable on their own. Long lasting finish for a delightful wine.

Food Pairing & Service: Very versatile wine, although it will accommodate a wild range of dishes, it would best accompany shellfish and grilled fish like tuna or even sardines. Consider also pairing it with lemon and herb roast chicken as well as vegetable stews. Any dish served with saffron rice will do too. Serve chilled.

Score: 8/10. Great find, stack it up for the year around!

Ageing Potential: Up to 5 - 8 years.

Price as seen on MD shelf: $15.99

Mulderbosch Rosé Cabernet Sauvignon'09, South Africa

A juicy and lush yet Dry Rosé Wine from the Stellenbosh Region in South Africa.

Technical Data: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes were harvested and crushed. To achieve the desired color on the free run juice, the grapes were cold-macerated. After settling in tank, the juice was racked and inoculated with yeast cultures for fermentation. After fermentation, the wine underwent lees contact, a light fining and filtration before bottling. No Wood ageing to preserve freshness of the wine.

Description: Bright and lively raspberry pink color. Strawberry, rose petal and raspberry aromas are laced together to offer a complex, lush, fruit forward yet Dry Rosé. On the palate, this is a sophisticated and "sexy" Rosé combining strawberries, raspberries and ripe cherries flavors as well as some spices inherited from the Cabernet Sauvignon own character.

Food Pairing & Service: A very versatile dry Rosé wine, easy going on the palate. Serve well chilled. It will stands very well against “modern style” cuisine, fusion cuisine, light Italian cuisine as well as some spicy Asian dishes. The ideal summer salad wine. Enjoy it with sushi and other Japanese delights as well. Great to have at a picnic or at the beach. An excellent aperitif wine as well. Serve chilled.

Score: 8/10. Great find, stack it up for the summer!

Ageing Potential: Up to 3 years.

Price as seen on MD shelf: $13.99

Rust en Vrede Merlot'08, South Africa

A juicy and lush dry red from the Stellenbosh Region in South Africa.

Technical Data: 100% Merlot. The wine was left to mature for 14 months in French oak, after which it received a light filtration prior to bottling.

Description: Bright Ruby red color. Distinctive Strawberry, Raspberry aromas underlying spice and coffee notes. Very subtle palate, smooth tannins, balanced and structured wine showing off red/black fruits flavors as well as some spice and toasty oak . Good lengthy, smooth finish.

Food Pairing & Service: A very versatile wine, very accessible to any palate. Will do wonders either way, by itself or accompanying a dish. Tomato based dishes in general or hearty food would be a great match for it, I would also consider give it a try with Moussaka or even with Shrimp Calamari, Yum! Enjoy this great food wine now through at least 2013 .

Score: 8/10. Great find!

Price as seen on MD shelf: From $17.99 to $24.99